Ohio State football | Potential draftees say playing is worth risk

Thursday

DALLAS — The starting lineups will tell the tale Friday night when Ohio State takes on Southern California in the Cotton Bowl, but both coaches expect full participation.

“We anticipate we'll be full — ready to go play and everybody's playing,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Thursday.

His USC counterpart, Clay Helton, said the same.

“Every guy that has the ability to play is going to be out there playing,” Helton said. “This is a big game for both universities and both fan bases. … And I know our kids are really, really excited to be out there. So, yes, they'll be out there.”

But several NFL draft-caliber players have opted to sit out other bowls this month and avoid the jeopardy in games that, unlike the two College Football Playoff semifinals, are just for pride.

Recall the last time Ohio State played a non-playoff bowl, against Notre Dame in the Fiesta after the 2015 season. That game was loaded with future high NFL draft picks, including Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith, projected to be one of the top five in the 2016 draft. He suffered a major knee injury in the first quarter.

Smith still was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, but in the second round, a slide that cost him an estimated $15 million in contract and signing bonus. Michigan tight end Jake Butt, a Pickerington native, experienced a similar slide in the 2017 draft after suffering a major knee injury in the Wolverines’ Orange Bowl game with Florida State.

The jeopardy is real. Yet USC sophomore quarterback Sam Darnold, who could be the first selection in the 2018 draft if he decides to leave, plans to play as does junior running back Ronald Jones II, another who could turn pro.

So do outgoing Ohio State center Billy Price and — according to defensive coordinator Greg Schiano — junior cornerback Denzel Ward, who is expected to be a high choice if he declares for the draft, as well as junior defensive end Sam Hubbard.

“I can’t speak on other programs and how they’re set up, but I feel like here at Ohio State, you get the vibe nobody would ever sit out a game unless they’re injured,” senior safety Damon Webb said. “It’s because of the brotherhood we have here. Everybody on the team is very close.

“We go out there and play for each other. I don’t feel like anyone just plays for himself, for his own stats. We want to get it done together.”

Depending upon which underclassmen leave, there could be 12 Ohio State players in the game who are possible picks for the 2018 draft which will be staged in April at the site of the Cotton Bowl, AT&T Stadium.

“I think a player should be able to make the decision for himself,” said senior left tackle Jamarco Jones, another of the projected draftees. “But me personally, I just want to go out there and finish out the season with my brothers and get a win in the Cotton Bowl.”

Darnold plans to toe the line, too, even if he arguably has more on the line than anyone else.

"In terms of other players not playing, that’s their own decision to make. … Some guys are put in certain situations as far as their family situations to not want to risk anything," Darnold said. "But it’s the Cotton Bowl … it’s two teams that are rich in tradition and I’m just really excited to play this game.”

tmay@dispatch.com

@TIM_MAYsports

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.